60 posts tagged with work and productivity.
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Like most human beings, there are people and things I cherish. Why do I keep neglecting them in favor of work and school? I am talking about basic things like eating for example. Is there anything I can do to get my priorities straight? [more inside]
posted by Tarumba
on Sep 10, 2016 -
15 answers

I have a fair amount of trouble getting work done (at work and at home), especially consistently. I think having a routine would help, but I’m not sure how to create, get into, and stay in a routine. I’ve never managed to do that for more than a week before, even for very small routines. [more inside]
posted by triscuit
on Dec 10, 2015 -
11 answers

Most questions about work hours and productivity imply that it's normal to be focused on work the entire time you're at the office, with short breaks and maybe a lunch break. I've seen lots of advice suggesting that you may have ADHD or depression if you spend a lot of time, say, surfing the Internet while procrastinating. Is procrastinating really a pathology, and is 90-100% productivity really normal? [more inside]
posted by chickenmagazine
on Oct 22, 2015 -
37 answers

I can't work at work and I don't know why. I can only get work done after the day's over while sitting on my couch. This isn't sustainable. Help! [more inside]
posted by theraflu
on Oct 8, 2015 -
14 answers

I have a problem with balance between numerous low importance tasks and the ones that really drive business. I find that sometimes I am too focused on the little things to keep from being buried. Everything seems urgent. How do I deal? [more inside]
posted by Che boludo!
on Aug 3, 2015 -
5 answers

These days all the literature on creativity/productivity emphasizes routines and unromantic workmanlike discipline. Forget inspiration and "just do it!" But more often than not, when I put my butt in the chair to get down to business… Nothing. Happens. [more inside]
posted by overeducated_alligator
on Feb 17, 2015 -
14 answers

At work, no one has ever monitored my time or even told me what hours I should be working, so I'm not sure what is appropriate. I'm a good performer, but am still on edge and worried I could be seen as inappropriate. I understand no one can give 100% all the time, but lately I spend more time browsing or chatting with coworkers. I don't want to get a surprise reprimand or be viewed as a slacker. Please help me determine what is and isn't acceptable in the workplace. [more inside]
posted by WCF
on Jan 10, 2015 -
24 answers

I'm in a new position at work where I'm now managing multiple projects and people, and need to overhaul my system for organizing tasks to avoid drowning. What solutions are there for my situation? [more inside]
posted by pilibeen
on Nov 30, 2014 -
9 answers

I’ve been told that my productivity at work needs to improve, and that I should think up three ways in which my manager can measure my productivity and its improvement. Difficulty level: software engineer.
Wall of snowflakes inside (longer than expected, sorry folks!) [more inside]
posted by six sided sock
on Oct 20, 2014 -
32 answers

I'm an HR manager in a company and am looking to buy a PERSONAL tablet to use in meetings for taking notes, keeping to-do lists and storing/viewing notes. I'd love to be able to handwrite into the notes, but that's not a deal-breaker as long as the tablet is functional. I have some flexibility on price, but would really like to stay under $400. Bonus points for internet functionality without wifi. [more inside]
posted by Draccy
on Mar 1, 2014 -
15 answers

I have come to realize after attempting to plan my own wedding, and now landing two nonprofit jobs that involve some degree of event planning, that I hate it, and I am really bad at it. Since these are the jobs I have, how can I improve? [more inside]
posted by chaiminda
on Jan 16, 2014 -
12 answers

I'm looking for suggestions for games that fit well for short breaks in between getting stuff done. See inside for more info on the kind of properties that I think would be good. [more inside]
posted by philipy
on Nov 28, 2013 -
27 answers

I have SO many things to do at my new job, and more things get added every day. I'm a pretty organized person in general but I feel like I have no time to even GET organized in this position. My current habits aren't helping, though. There's got to be a better way... Help! [more inside]
posted by trillian
on Jun 17, 2013 -
15 answers

I have a hard time being productive in the morning. I'm more productive in the afternoon and evening. Unfortunately, I have to be at work in the morning so it would be helpful to be more productive then since I have to be there anyway. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Do you have any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by kat518
on Mar 5, 2013 -
15 answers

I have a lot of autonomy in my job, along with a lot of responsibility. How can I get better at organizing my working patterns so that I get everything done, without always worrying that I should be working on some other task instead? Looking for recommendations for tactics, mindsets, books, apps, or whatever's worked for you. [more inside]
posted by Catseye
on Jun 13, 2012 -
6 answers

Is Ambition required for Success? Is it possible to be too well adjusted? What if you don't like what you're good at? I have been struggling with the concepts of ambition and achievement in regard to self-esteem and a sense of self-worth (warning: long, vague) [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 29, 2012 -
15 answers

What apps do you use to help you stay focused on work? I'm looking for Mac and web apps. I don't have clinically diagnosable ADHD, but I'm curious about what's out there and can certainly use the help sometimes.
posted by ignignokt
on Feb 9, 2012 -
18 answers

So I got some new responsibilities at my company (great!) but I am so slow at the new work it's dragging my day out too long and affecting my productivity with my existing work. Help me learn to be faster and end my long workdays before they end me. [more inside]
posted by Fire
on Sep 6, 2011 -
9 answers

I need to work my butt off, burn the candle at both ends, turn on the afterburners, etc etc. I can work just fine, but I don't know how to be that guy who puts in 16 hour days and sleeps on a cot in his office. How do I become that guy? [more inside]
posted by tempythethird
on Aug 21, 2011 -
35 answers

My job has a lot of responsibilities and some of them are more interesting and appealing than others. Sometimes I find myself blocked on some of the ones I like less, especially when they have stressful consequences. For example, I often need to write detailed reports for higher-ups (stressful and not enjoyable!), but I'd rather be designing new CSS stylesheets. Sometimes I just stress out about writing for a whole day and don't get anything done. I've thought of doing something more enjoyable and lower priority but I'm worried that when I'm done with that, the high-priority tasks will still be there, and they won't be any easier, appealing, or less stressful.
Has anyone had any success breaking up their work like this? Have any strategies for success? How do I know how much time I can afford to spend on the low-priority stuff? How can I avoid just procrastinating on the important stuff while doing the things that make me love my job?
posted by rwatson
on Jul 4, 2011 -
6 answers

I recently finished a very rigorous school year. For the last month I was in class/lab/doing homework around 12-16 hours a day 7 days a week. I am looking for tips, anecdotes or exercises for keeping up a similar, though less crazy level of productivity now that I am not racing against the hard deadlines (homework and projects, tests, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by mungaman
on Jun 20, 2011 -
2 answers

I'm starting a new job. What are the weird little things you do on a daily, or weekly basis to a) get up to speed in a new workplace, or b) 'get your game on' to be worky/professional at your job, or c) quite literally, not go crazy from work-stress? [more inside]
posted by Elysum
on Apr 4, 2011 -
13 answers

I'll soon be working from home full time. What are some "policies" I can enact for my home office to keep my productivity, sanity and health intact? [more inside]
posted by Diplodocus
on Mar 31, 2011 -
21 answers

I naturally get a strong productivity burst in the late afternoon/evening . Unfortunately, this doesn't sync up well with the actual hours of my 8-4 workday. How can I shift my biological clock to let me get stuff done earlier in the day? [more inside]
posted by gallusgallus
on Mar 24, 2011 -
4 answers

Caffeine helps me to be optimistic, positive, and productive at work. Unfortunately, it's also fantastically addictive, and disrupts basically every important bodily process that I have. Should I talk to a psychiatrist about trying some kind of prescription stimulant? [more inside]
posted by Sloop John B
on Sep 14, 2010 -
46 answers

Should all responsibilities feel like a heavy weight, on a day to day basis?
In class and at work I am constantly checking the clock, waiting for when it will be finally over. When I get back to my room, I want to lay in bed for the rest of the day. What's with that? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Sep 8, 2010 -
21 answers

I've started a new, earlier work schedule now that I'm carpooling with my fianceé. I don't have issues waking up, but I do tend to feel "slower" when I'm trying to work at earlier hours in the morning. Any suggestions for how to feel clearer and more focused earlier in the day? [more inside]
posted by Allenthar
on Aug 25, 2010 -
13 answers

How do you stay motivated in cubicle hell? I go through bouts of being motivated, sometimes for weeks. I am on top of my emails. I am making the phone calls. I am knocking down deliverables. I am having productive team meetings. And then something happens. I can't be bothered. I don't actively manage my inbox. My commitment to following GTD falls apart. I let certain things slip through the cracks. I just don't feel like doing any work. And then two weeks later I get motivated again. This has plagued me forever. Same thing in university. It's like I have ADD but instead of losing focus in the span of seconds, I lose focus in the span of weeks. How can I keep my foot on the gas pedal and feel like I am not a corporate bum half the time. Anyone else like this? Anyone have any tricks for keeping at a steady productive state?
posted by jasondigitized
on Aug 10, 2010 -
13 answers

I'm looking for a simple Win app that tracks time spent on tasks/projects. I'd like one that can work directly out of the system tray without needing to pull up the window for the app. [more inside]
posted by kjhosein
on Feb 18, 2010 -
6 answers

Many workplaces ban social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and so on. What are some of the reasons workplaces should allow (and even encourage) staff to use social networking sites? [more inside]
posted by Jaybo
on Oct 14, 2009 -
20 answers

I have trouble just buckling down and getting started on projects at work. What tips, tricks, or resources are out there for stopping my analysis paralysis, silencing my inner critic, and just getting things done? [more inside]
posted by miasma
on Mar 9, 2009 -
21 answers

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